Release Detail

January 24, 2002 - Voters Statewide Split On New York City Commuter Tax,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
State Voters Say Keep City Board Of Education

By a close 49 - 44 percent margin, New York State voters support a commuter tax for suburban
residents who work in New York City, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released
today.

New York City voters support the commuter tax 64 - 32 percent, while suburban voters
oppose it by an equally strong 63 - 34 percent. Upstate voters split 45 - 43 percent on the
measure.

On another tax issue, 55 percent of voters say New York State should proceed with a
$300 million tax cut, mainly for businesses, scheduled for this year, while 36 percent say
postpone these tax cuts, with 9 percent undecided.

"The New York City commuter tax? Few surprises here: New York City voters, who
would benefit, want their suburban visitors to pay. Suburban voters obviously say, `No way!'
The even split from upstate voters is interesting. One would expect a stronger anti-New York
City reaction," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Voters want Albany to worry about the details of budget balance. Don't rock the boat,
most of them say. Go ahead with the tax cuts you promised."

Tax cuts for business will help New York's economy, 60 percent of voters say, while 12
percent say tax cuts will hurt the economy and 24 percent say they will make no difference.

New York City's Board of Education should continue running the schools, 56 percent of
voters statewide say, while 31 percent say let the mayor run the schools. Upstate voters back
the status quo 68 - 13 percent, while New York City voters back the Board of Ed by a narrow
49 - 43 percent, similar to the suburban 48 - 42 percent support.

By a 62 - 25 percent margin, New York voters back Gov. Pataki's proposal to simplify
the formulas the state uses to provide funds to local schools, giving local school boards more
control over how the money is spent.

But if a change in the state funding formula means less money for their local schools,
voter support drops to a very close 47 - 43 percent.

"Gov. Pataki says the way the state distributes school aid is not only unfair; it's
incomprehensible. He wants to simplify it and most New Yorkers agree - unless, of course,
they lose money in the deal," Carroll said.

The economy is the most important problem facing New York State today, 28 percent of
voters say, while 16 percent list education and 13 percent list taxes. Terrorism dropped from
20 percent in a November 15 poll by the independent Quinnipiac University to 6 percent today.

Twelve percent of New York voters are "very satisfied" with the way things are going in
the state, while 58 percent are "somewhat satisfied;" 21 percent are "somewhat dissatisfied,"
and 8 percent are "very dissatisfied."

From January 14 - 21, Quinnipiac University surveyed 893 New York State registered
voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3.3 percent.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and nationwide as a public service and
for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

14. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New York
State today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied,
or very dissatisfied?

26. As you may know, the New York State legislature has passed 300 million
dollars in tax cuts, mainly for businesses. The tax cuts are scheduled to go
into effect this year. Do you think the state legislature should postpone the
tax cuts or go ahead with the tax cuts as planned?

30. (If "favor" Q29 ask:) Suppose this meant that your local public schools would
receive less state money. Would you favor or oppose changing state school funding
formulas so local school boards have more control over how state money is spent?